Las Vegas Book Briefs for Oct. 29-Nov. 4, 2015

NaNoWriMo: The Writer's Block plans to welcome National Novel Writing Month participants for NaNoWriMo Write-Ins from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays in November. Every year, aspiring writers push toward a goal of writing a 50,000-word novel through the month of November, ending at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30. The downtown bookstore also plans to host NaNoWriMo critique sessions from 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays, and free NaNoWriMo workshops from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Activities are designed for writers 13 or older. Visit nanowrimo.org.

"A Hero Named John": The Public Education Foundation recently honored Bank of Nevada CEO John Guedry as its annual education hero. As part of the award, the foundation commissioned a book in his honor, "A Hero Named John." The book joins others in the Heroes Series dedicated to Gary Loveman, Mark L. Fine, Sig Rogich, Jim Murren, Pat Mulroy, Jan Jones Blackhurst, Bruce Woodbury and Thalia Dondero. All the books in the series are available for $25 at thepef.org.

Novel writing class: Author Sean Hoade plans a class on National Novel Writing Month from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Registration is required. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

An Evening With Jessica Brody: Jessica Brody started self-publishing her own books when she was 7. After graduating from Smith College in 2001, she went to work in acquisitions for MGM Studios. In 2005, she quit to pursue a dream of being an author. She has written two books for adults, "The Fidelity Files" and "Love Under Cover," and the young adult novels "The Karma Club," "My Life Undecided" and "52 Reasons to Hate My Father." Brody is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Nov 4 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org.

Las Vegas Stories: Writer and director of UNLV's Center for Gaming Research, David Schwartz plans to discuss the life of Kirk Kerkorian at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org.

Relationship Stages: Relationship facilitator and author Ronald C. Moore plans to talk about his book "If It's Raining Men, Why Is Your Bucket Empty?" at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Football find: Local author and former college football player Matthew William Nighswonger plans to sign copies of his book "Down, Set, Hut: The Untold Story of College Football" at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble in Henderson.

Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival: The Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival, a day chock-full of free activities, panel discussions and presentations celebrating comic book culture, is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Highlights are set to include workshops led by local and nationally recognized experts on comic art, writing and marketing, and a concert featuring The Doubleclicks and Molly Lewis. Visit lvccld.org.

"Dust in the Wind": Robert Winter is slated to sign copies of his books, "Disaster Manual for Financial Recovery: A Self Help Guide to Receive the Most Disaster Funds" and "Dust in the Wind: Real FEMA Disaster Stories" at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Alzheimer's Cafe: Alzheimer's Association early-stage advocate Nancy Nelson, who is author of "Blue. River. Apple.," and Nicole Anderson from the local Alzheimer's Association are set to meet with readers and caregivers to enjoy conversation and camaraderie from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at BooksorBooks, 3460 E. Sunset Road, Suite R. Following the chat, Nelson and other local authors — including Terry Marshall, Eric James Miller, Stephen Murray, Denise Stephenson and Donald Ozello —are set to participate in a signing to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

Mob Museum signing: Author C. Joseph Greaves plans to sign copies of his book "Tom & Lucky and George & Cokey Flo" from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 9 in the retail store at The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave. There is no admission charge to enter the store. Visit themobmuseum.org.

The Wheel of Time Companions: After his death, Robert Jordan's wife and editor Harriet McDougal selected Brandon Sanderson to complete his The Wheel of Time series. Alan Romanczuk and Maria Simons, Jordan's editorial assistants for a combined 18 years, worked with Sanderson to complete the last three volumes. Join filmmaker, online Wheel of Time forum founder and author Jason Denzel, McDougal, Romanczuk and Simons as they discuss the series at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org.

Lucky Luciano Book: C. Joseph Greaves is set to discuss his novel "Tom & Lucky and George & Cokey Flo," based on the 1936 vice trial that ended the criminal reign of mobster Lucky Luciano, at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Visit lvccld.org.

Self Publishing Workshop: Deb Dorchak of Blue Sun Studio plans to speak to publishing hopefuls from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 14 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Laura McBride plans novel talk: Local author and CSN professor Laura McBride is set to talk about her novel "We Are Called to Rise" from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Horror and history: James R. Hinds is set to sign copies of his novel "The Vampire State," and A.D. Hopkins plans to sign the local history book "The First 100: Portraits of the Men and Women Who Shaped Las Vegas," written with K.J. Evans, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. Visit lvccld.org.

Writing workshop: Hollywood script and story consultant Michael Hauge, best-selling author of "Writing Screenplays That Sell" and "Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read," is slated to present a Las Vegas Romance Writers-sponsored workshop on creating compelling fiction and more from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Sunset Station, 1301 W. Sunset Road. Admission is $75 for Las Vegas Romance Writers members and $100 for others. Visit lvrwa.org.

Poetry happenings: Clark County Poet Laureate Bruce Isaacson plans to host a free open poetry reading from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Drive. At noon Nov. 14, he plans to talk about beat poetics. Visit clarkcountynv.gov.

"Diamonds are Forever": Michelle Meadow is set to sign copies of "Diamonds are Forever," the third book in her Secret Diamond Sisters series, at noon Nov. 15 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

"Pete the Cat" author tour: "Pete the Cat" author and musician Eric Litwin is set to bring his musical stories to several local libraries in November, with stops scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road; from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane; from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19 at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.; and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave. Visit lvccld.org.

"Relicts of a Beautiful Sea": Christopher Norment, author of "Relicts of a Beautiful Sea: Survival, Extinction, and Conservation in a Desert World," is slated to discuss the book from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Writer's Block, 1020 Fremont St., No. 100. Visit thewritersblock.org.

Triple signing: Kathy-Lynn Cross, Erica Kiefer and Mercedes Yardley are set to sign books at 1 p.m. Nov. 21 at the 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Roger DeBlanck: The librarian, author and poet is set to discuss his novels "The Ramos Brothers Trust Castro and Kennedy" and "The Sky Buries All Sorrow" at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Visit lvccld.org.

Writing and art competition: Henderson Libraries are sponsoring a creative writing and cover art contest for Clark County writers and artists 18 or older. The contest deadline is Nov. 30. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Books needed: Students at Clark County's 78 Safekey sites are in need of books, and Clark County commissioners and Las Vegas' new poet laureate are appealing to the community to help out. The goal is to collect 3,000 new or gently used books for use by elementary school children enrolled in morning and afternoon Safekey programs. The programs are set to adopt the Apple Core reading program with the goal of setting aside 15 minutes of reading time during each Safekey session. Visit clarkcountynv.gov.

Ongoing events

Neon Lit: Neon Lit, a public reading featuring writers from UNLV's Master of Fine Arts and Ph.D. writing programs, is scheduled the fourth Friday of most months at The Writer's Block, 1020 Fremont St., No. 100. The next gathering is set for Nov. 27. Visit neonlit.org.

5/5+ Poetry: Poets are invited to share original work for five minutes followed by attendees offering comments for five minutes during 5/5+, a workshop series put on by Nick Marco, Lana Hanson and Lee Mallory, scheduled every two weeks at BooksOrBooks, 3460 E. Sunset Road, Suite R. The next session is planned from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 8. Call 702-754-5971, email jtjmarco@live.com, raisewomenup@gmail.com or leewmallory3@gmail.com or search for 5/5+ on Facebook.

Writers club: The Aliante Library Writers Club is scheduled to meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way. Email facilitator Glory Wade at glorywadewriter@gmail.com.

Sevens Live!: Poet Lee Mallory plans to present Sevens Live!, a poetry, music and comedy showcase, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays inside the Cantina at the Silver Sevens, 4100 Paradise Road. Admission is free with a one-drink minimum. Call 702-733-7300.

Fiction writing series: The Creative Writing @ Your Library: Fiction Writing series facilitated by Henderson Writer's Group president Gregory A. Kompes is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month through Dec. 15 at the Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway. Topics to be discussed include settings, characters, dialogue and editing. Visit mypubliclibrary.com.

Poets Corner: The West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., plans to host poets corner readings with Keith Brantley at 7 p.m. the first and third Friday of each month. Call 702-229-4800.

Science fiction and fantasy writing group: Readers, writers and editors of science fiction and fantasy are invited to check out a new group scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Saturdays in meeting room two at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway. Call 702-334-0204.

Barnes & Noble writing group: The 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. Barnes & Noble plans to host a writing critique group at 5:15 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month. The group is limited to the first 20 participants per meeting. Sign up at meetup.com/las-vegas-creative-writing-class.

Henderson Writers Group: The Henderson Writers Group plans to meet from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays in Room C-2 at Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave. Meetings are typically canceled on holidays. Visit hendersonwritersgroup.com.

Memoir-writing workshops: An ongoing series of free four-week memoir-writing workshops is scheduled at noon Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Fridays at the Las Vegas FamilySearch Library, 509 S. Ninth St. Four-week sessions are set to begin the first week of every month. Call 702-382-9695.